The Animaris Sabulosa was driven by four rear fins (Photo: Theo Jansen)

The Animaris Sabulosa Cutis had a spoiler at the front that pushes its snout against the ground, fixing it there, as well as a skin of see-through adhesive tape coated with sand as camouflage (Photo: Theo Jansen)

How many artificial animals can you encounter on a seaside walk? More than one if you frequent the Dutch coastline where Theo Jansen's moving artworks amble along with the help of their rudimentary senses. The complex wind-powered skeletal constructs that Jansen calls "Strandbeests," or beach beasts, are designed to stay on the beach and live off the sea breeze.